Lesson Plans
1st Week – 4th Six Weeks – January 6 – 9
A Professional Team Approach — Web Design as a Career
Designing Web pages and sites is a relatively new career option. Web designers need basic design skills in order to be successful. It is very helpful to have drawing skills and to be knowledgeable in Web-specific design factors. Not only do designers create the “look and feel” of Web sites, but they incorporate interactive features such as e-commerce, online communities, site searches, and interactive applications. Today’s designers design pages that are participatory and interactive. Web designers, when working with common graphic design elements, consider usability and accessibility issues. Well-designed sites focus on the visual organization of content, use of an intuitive navigation system on every page, careful selection of typography (font style, color, size, and spacing), standards compliance, and a uniform and consistent design for a more polished, professional look.
These careers require a combination of skills in visual design and proficiency with technology. Most Web designers are salaried employees, working at advertising, marketing, or design agencies, at Web consulting firms, which build and manage Web sites for client organizations, or in separate design departments within larger corporations. However, many Web designers work on a freelance basis, in which they are hired by a client for a specific project. The growth of the Internet virtually insures job security of skilled Web designers. As the Internet evolves-as new technologies are developed and the needs of Internet users change-there will be a need for new skills among Web designers.
Developing the large Web sites common in today’s Internet world requires the skills of many individuals working in teams. It is not unusual for a team to include dozens of individuals. Because Web design is often done in teams, teamwork skills are critically important. Individuals who are flexible, cooperative, and willing to assume their share of responsibilities are usually successful.
Communication skills are a critical element in successful teams. Individuals who can write well and speak clearly are valuable for communicating with clients, as well as for communicating with other team members and supervisors. Project managers are usually responsible for establishing expectations of group cooperation, shared responsibilities, and roles, but the success of the team, in terms of both production of high-quality Web sites and a pleasant working environment, is dependent upon the teamwork skills of all of the team members.
Because so many technology careers involve working in teams, it is advisable to learn and practice teamwork and communication skills. Opportunities to practice can be found in classrooms, on recreational teams, in work environments, and in family life.
